Exceeding Expectations

As I’ve gotten older, my parents have gotten smarter

Todd Clark — Sat, 30 Jun 2007 14:44:00 GMT

I don’t know what has happened to my parents, when I was five, my parents were the smartest people on the Earth and I would want to fight anyone who said different. But, then for some strange reason, when I became about 12, they starting eating Wheaties and drinking Tab cola and I think it affected their brains. They were actually quite dumb and I wouldn’t believe that the public school system was allowing them to teach other parents kids.

Then I hit 21, and I think they stopped making Tab, and I noticed they were eating Cheerios instead of Wheaties, I think it helped them. I noticed their higher brain function was starting to come back and they were getting smarter again. I was starting to feel better about our kids in the public school system having a chance, now that my parents are so smart.

Now that I have kids, I’ve started to watch what I eat and I eat only Cheerios and avoid Tab, now that I see that it is back on the market. I hope the science in the Cheerios box helps keeps me intelligent through my entire kids’ lives.

I was shocked when reading the Cheerios box that it doesn’t say a thing about keeping parents smart, it does say it keeps you heart smart. Maybe that is what my parents needed!

Finding Nemo - I really need your help relibers

Todd Clark — Tue, 26 Jun 2007 14:27:00 GMT

I will warn you this one is a little strange! Sunday at my open house a potential buyer ask me “Have any pets been buried in the back yard of this condo?” I told them “I didn’t know” and “Can I ask why that question? That is a question I had never heard.”

They told me about a month ago they looked at a home and their 5 year old son went to check out the backyard, it was fenced so they thought it was safe. They said about 10 minutes later their son came in the house with a shoe box he dug up in the backyard.

Does anyone know if there is a way to find this out? I told them I would get back to them this week.

The passing of a great teacher

Todd Clark — Sat, 16 Jun 2007 16:05:00 GMT

Today I learned that someone I used to watch every Saturday on Nickelodeon as a kid and was always fascinated by him and what he had to teach, passed yesterday and I completely missed and tribute they may have had on TV for him.

This teacher that I am speaking of has been teaching kids on television since 1951! I consider him to be one of the first to makes science FUN! This teacher taught me more about science than I learned in all my years of public school. Not because my teachers weren’t great, it was just that he made it so much fun. You wanted to watch, learn, and participate.

Yesterday the world lost a great teacher and he will be missed by a lot of people including myself. I think I am going to do a fun science experiment with my daughter today and maybe rent a DVD so my daughter can learn from one my greatest teachers.

Don “Mr. Wizard” Herbert (1910-2007)

The Sounds of Silence

Todd Clark — Wed, 13 Jun 2007 16:50:00 GMT

I showed a home a couple of years ago and the showing instructions were no showings between Friday after 5pm and Monday 9am.

Both my buyers and I really wanted to know why. I went back Saturday during the day and there wasn’t a parking spot for 7 blocks! My clients told me they went Friday night and the same thing, except lots of lights and really loud music from a party that was going on.

The reason the owner was limiting showing times was he didn’t want potential buyers to see on the weekends that this was soccer party central.

I later checked police records and on the weekends the neighborhood was visited a lot for noise and drinking. I’m guessing who ever ended up buying this property didn’t do what my buyer and I did and I’m guessing they were in for a very rude awakening the first weekend they lived there.

I know this isn’t something that the listing agent had to disclose or for that matter, even knew about. But, had you, would you have also limited showing hours?

I client put me in tears yesterday

Todd Clark — Wed, 13 Jun 2007 03:38:00 GMT

Let me first tell you that I am not one that cries. I did on the day my kids were born and that was about the end of the times I can remember crying. But, let me tell you yesterday a client of mine made me tear up.

The situation was she was behind on her payments on her home after losing her job and needed help. She had her electric, water & gas had all shut off. One of her friends said, “you need to call my friend Todd and he can help you.”

I did some investigation and found out she had over $200,000 in equity in her home. I told her that if she took that equity and bought a duplex she could pay cash and get $700 a month and not have to worry about a job until she found the one that worked for her. I helped her sell it and buy a duplex that will do exactly that. Well, she showed up at the office and her and my principle broker came into my office 4 days after the sale of her property and I’m thinking to myself, “What is wrong, I just talked to her yesterday and she was doing great.”

Just a little background for you that haven’t read some of my other blogs, I was a DJ for 18 years and have a large music collection of over 12,000 albums and loads of other music memorabilia.

This is where I became speechless and a tear came to my eye. As a ex-DJ, getting me to become speechless is pretty hard. She came up to me and gave me a hug and said “Todd, I want to thank you for letting me sleep for the first time in months, and I was having a sale and wanted to give you a thank you gift to show you how much I appreciate what you did for me and how much I truly believe that you were there to help me” This is when she gave me a 1915 Victor-Victrola IX with the optional stand. As a collector of music and music memorabilia, it was just an amazing gift that I will never forget and will always be in my living room to remind me why I do what I do.

Todd Clark – broker
Kastings & Associates

(503)524-9494
Todd@IFoundYourNewHome.com

www.IFoundYourNewHome.com

WE ARE DONE! You need to find yourself another Realtor!

Todd Clark — Tue, 12 Jun 2007 05:08:00 GMT

That is what I told a buyer who called me on the phone today. This person (I use that phrase loosely) wanted to see a home I had listed. I said “Great!” I then asked if they had been pre-approved by a mortgage broker. He said “Yes, for $270,000, but we have a question for you” I said, “OK – Shoot”

They then asked me “Has this home ever been owned by a Mexican family?” I couldn’t believe the question and I was silent for what felt like 5 minutes to me. They then broke the silence with “There is a way you can check that right?”

I told them “I’m sorry – I can’t show you this home after all. WE ARE DONE! You need to find yourself another Realtor” I then hung up, didn’t even wait for them to respond. I was that offended that they even asked.

As a ex-DJ it is hard to offended me or embarrassed me. But, I was embarrassed for this person and truly offended by their racist comments.

Would you have done the same or would you have even tried to educate them?

Integrity and Ethics

Todd Clark — Mon, 11 Jun 2007 01:38:00 GMT

I’ll describe a situation that happened to me and you tell me what you would have done. I know what I did and I earned a lot of respect from some colleagues today.

First of all, I had a very popular fixer property for sale in a great location. I had four offers within 2 hours, including one of my own.

This is my question to you at this point. What would have done with the four offers?

Here is what I did. As the offers came in, I numbered them, never looking at the actual offers. Then I called all the agents, and my client, and explained that we had four offers. We need best and final offers within one hour.

I then gave them to an agent in my office to present. I told her one was mine, but don’t look at the agents names. Please present all offers and do what is best for her.

I am saddened mine didn’t get picked, but I now know she got the best deal for her and not what made me the most money.

Would you have done the same or would you have peeked to help you buyer get the highest offer? I felt the other agents didn’t have that opportunity and so I didn’t think it fair that my buyer did either.

My ethics told me don’t peek and let chips fall where they may.

Bad Day - Good Day - Great Day!

Todd Clark — Sun, 10 Jun 2007 16:18:00 GMT

Yesterday was one of those days that I thought "Do I really want to get out of bed?"

Then, at 6:15am, as the phone started to ring, I thought great here we go again. The first call was about carpet not arriving on a home that was to close a week ago. OH Goody, another extension. My seller is worried that they may have to pay another payment if things don't progress soon.

That was the start of my bad day! Then title calls and says underwriting doesn't want to fund because of a pending divorce. I'm thinking once again, "Why did I get out of bed?"

But slowing things turned to good after that. Title calls again and says we got two sets of docs in. Do you want tosign both today? "YES" Something good happened today, finally.

Then on Tuesday I took a listing and thanks to my pro-quest 1-800# I was starting to get calls. Great! The sign is up and flyers are out. Within 4 hours of the sign being out I had 14 calls about this property. Three were working with other agents, but they showed the home and I showed one.

This is where my good day became great! We had 4 offers within 2 hours on a fixer property. Then the bidding war started between two buyers, and we had an agreement at $25,000 above asking price by the time we got done.

Does selling drugs out of your home lower the value?

Todd Clark — Mon, 04 Jun 2007 06:46:00 GMT

It sure did for one of my clients today! I was under contract on a home and the disclosure forms came in and one of the disclosures was that the home was once used as a drug house.

This home was now owned by the wife and the husband (Dealer) was now in jail. My clients loved the home, but the wife was a stay at home mom and was worried that someone who didn't know that the dealer has moved to cement office (Jail) would come to the door and possibly put her family in harms way.

I couldn't argue with her and think I would have done the same thing, since the owner had only been in jail less than a month. I felt sorry for the seller, but she also understood and said it is something that she just couldn'tlie about.

What would you have done if you had been the listing agent?

Todd Clark - broker
Kastings & Associates
(503)524-9494
Todd@IFoundYourNewHome.com
www.IFoundYourNewHome.com

I’m heading to the gym today!

Todd Clark — Fri, 01 Jun 2007 17:22:00 GMT

OK - The reason I am posting this is because I am tired of hearing Todd you need to lose some weight. Yes I have gained a few pounds in the last couple of years and YES, I do really enjoy a really good meal at a very nice restaurant with my wife.

Let me tell you a few things first about why I have decided to post this here. I want everyone to know we do have options. My wife is a really good baker and loves to bake cookies and brownies and being the good husband I am, I have to test them for her to make sure she doesn't poison anyone else in the neighborhood. I also like to help her feel good about herself and I wouldn't want to make her think I don't enjoy her cooking.

Remember a way to a man's heart is through his stomach. Real Estate takes a lot of time and in the past I have realized that working out takes a lot of time and energy and sometimes I just don't have that amount of time to work out. I used to be a runner and ran 20 miles a day - Yes you read that correctly 20 miles a day.That was in a galaxy far far away though.

So to stop the conversations cold about me needing to lose the weight! I know the answer. I am on my way to the gym right now. By the way, for all of you who are reading this, and I sure hope it isn't anyone I know, I have now decided to name my couch gym!

Todd

More Proof of Abuse in Iraq - Pro Troops (Happy Memorial Day)

Todd Clark — Mon, 28 May 2007 21:26:00 GMT

These photos were sent around and are photos you probably will never see in the main stream media.
It is important to understand, despite what the media is telling us, we are not hated by all in Iraq. Please support our troops and everything they stand for!

Iraqi Child Bites GI In Self Defense After Obvious Torture!

GI Falls Asleep On Duty While Using
Iraqi Child As Body Armor!

GI Overheard to say "Talk or I'll tickle you till you pee!"
More Evidence Of Failed US Intelligence Policy.

Soldier Attempts to Eat Iraqi Child !

Clear Evidence of Forced Labor by Troops!

Iraqis Are Grateful That American Forces Did Not Open Fire During Soccer Game!

Soldier Caught At "Tickle-Torture" To Extract Intelligence!

GI Forces Iraqi Child To Hang By Fingertips!

No comment here. There's nothing funny about this one.

Please help support our troops! There are there to help!

It was a difficult day

Todd Clark — Sat, 26 May 2007 06:39:00 GMT

I understand the first step is admitting you have a problem. I think I realized today, I have a problem!

The phone was ringing off the hook all day long, and I was getting important e-mails and faxes via my laptop. Then it happened! I went to an area that didn’t have cell service and I couldn’t get on the internet either.

I had no phone calls, e-mails or faxes for three hours and after about 30 minutes I realized that the phone hadn’t rung and I went to check it and that is when I saw “NO SERVICE” I wanted to leave and drive the 15 minutes to get to a service area, but I was with a client.

I am officially addicted to my technology and I didn’t realize it until I didn’t have it! My wife decided at some point this summer she is taking me to a place that I can’t use any of my electronics to try to break me of my technology addition.

What’s your addiction?

Teenage boys everywhere wait in anticipation

Todd Clark — Thu, 17 May 2007 17:05:00 GMT

As a young boy all my friends talked about it! What was that thing we all talked and argued about? What is the greatest super power to have? Some said strength, other said speed. There are so many to choose from and thanks to “The Incredibles” I learned “NO CAPES!” Of all the super powers there is an argument for every one of them.

There was ONLY ONE thought that every boy wishes they had though. It wasn’t the greatest power for fighting crime, but for a young boy it was the coolest! That super power was the power of invisibility. You could sneak out of the house, right past your parents without them seeing you. You could get the answers to a test without the teacher seeing you come in before class and the most important reason to have invisibility? Say it with me guys….We could go in to the girl’s locker room! Yes girls, the truth is out. We didn’t want to save the world with invisibility! We just wanted to visit your locker room and as shocking as that statement was, scientists maybe closer than we think to actually creating invisibility.

For the complete article visit EarthTimes.org it is actually pretty cool even if we will never get to use the super power for good. Sorry guys, for the purpose of the blog I had to give our secret to why we wanted the power.

Todd

On the lighter side for your Sunday - Something to make you laugh

Todd Clark — Sun, 06 May 2007 12:02:00 GMT

The Nun at Hooters

A nun, badly needing to use the restroom, walked into a local Hooters restaurant. The place was hopping with music and loud conversation and every once in a while the lights would turn off. Each time the lights would go out, the place would erupt into cheers. However, when the revelers saw the nun, the room went dead silent.

She walked up to the bartender, and asked, "May I please use the restroom?"

The bartender replied, "OK, but I should warn you that there is a statue of a naked man in there wearing only a fig leaf."

"Well, in that case I'll just look the other way," said the nun. So, the bartender showed the nun to the back of the restaurant.

After a few minutes, she came back out, and the whole place stopped just long enough to give the nun a loud round of applause. She went to the bartender and said, "Sir, I don't understand. Why did they applaud for me just because I went to the restroom?"

"Well, now they know you're one of us," said the bartender, "Would you like a drink?"

But, I still don't understand,' said the puzzled nun.

"You see," laughed the bartender, "every time someone lifts the fig leaf on that statue, the lights go out."

If Real Estate is SOOOO good how come only 3% of us invest in it?

Todd Clark — Wed, 02 May 2007 17:56:00 GMT

According to the NAR only 3% of Realtors invest in Real Estate, yet, you see us talk about it and how great it is. I am investing in Real Estate myself now to take some of my own advice. I was wondering how many others here take their own advice to others about investing and actually do it?

[ ] Are you a member of the 97% of Real Estate agents that don't invest in Real Estate?

[ ] Are you a member of the 3% of Real Estate agents that invest in Real Estate?

I would love to hear from you if you are a member of either group or why or why you don't invest in Real Estate.

Todd